Country Profile - Eritrea
Population: 4.4 million
Capital: Asmara
Government: Transitional
Religion: Muslim 49.2%; Christian 47.3%; Non-religious 2.8%
Turbulent past
A former Italian colony, Eritrea was then occupied by the British until 1941.
In 1952, the United Nations made it an autonomous entity federated with Ethiopia. This was a compromise deal between Ethiopia's claims for sovereignty and Eritrean claims for independence.
But, when Ethiopia annexed Eritrea as a province within its boundaries 10 years later, a struggle for independence began.
Eritrea did not emerge from its long push for full autonomy until 1993, only to be plunged into conflict once again, first with the Yemen, and then once more with Ethiopia.
Today, there is a fragile peace in Eritrea.
However, the country faces ongoing hostile relations with Ethiopia. It also has serious problems in feeding its population, linked with severe weather and poor soil.
Targeted clampdown
Until 2002, there was religious freedom in Eritrea.
Then the government announced it would recognise only four religious communities: the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, Sunni Islam, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran-affiliated Evangelical Church of Eritrea.
All other churches were closed. Since 2002, it has banned any religious organisation from taking part in politics.
The religious climate has changed substantially in recent years.
The authorities run a campaign of open persecution against Christians: more than 2,000 of them are said to be in jail currently, including several pastors.
Many are imprisoned indefinitely and without trial. For some, the only hope of being released is to sign documents declaring they will no longer practise their faith.
Raids on Christian services are frequent, even wedding ceremonies, and mass detentions are common.
Even children are not exempt. In May 2007, some 20 Christians, including several young children, were arrested at a home in Dekemhare.
Release International sources claim the authorities went to the home expecting to raid a prayer meeting. When they found no such meeting taking place, they detained the families living at the home and others living close by, including a pastor.
Empty rhetoric
In 2003, the Eritrean government declared that 'no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion'.
Nonetheless, a year later, the United States named Eritrea as a Country of Particular Concern, ranking it among those where the worst violation of religious rights occurs.
In January 2006 the head of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Patriarch Abune Antonios, was put under house arrest.
In May 2007 he was forcibly evicted from his official residence, allegedly to make way for a government-imposed replacement.
RI projects
RI's work for Eritrean Christians includes:
- Practical support for Christian refugees who have fled persecution and escaped to Ethiopia. This includes helping them set up businesses or find work
Sources: BBC; International Christian Concern; Operation World; Release International; The Voice of the Martyrs Canada; The World Factbook 2007; World Christian Database.